Deuteronomy 3:16-26

16 "To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even as far as the valley of Arnon, the middle of the valley as a border and as far as the river 1Jabbok, the border of the sons of Ammon;
17 the Arabah also, with the Jordan as a border, from 2Chinnereth 3even as far as the sea of the Arabah, 4the Salt Sea, at the foot of the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
18 "Then I commanded you at that time, saying, '5The LORD your God has given you this land to possess it; 6all you valiant men shall cross over armed before your brothers, the sons of Israel.
19 '7But your wives and your little ones and your livestock (I know that you have 8much livestock ) shall remain in your cities which I have given you,
20 9until the LORD gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God will give them beyond the Jordan. 10Then you may return every man to his possession which I have given you.'
21 "I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so the LORD shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross.
22 'Do not fear them, for the LORD your God 11is the one fighting for you.'
23 "I also pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying,
24 'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant 12Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what 13god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?
25 'Let me, I pray, cross over and see the 14fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.'
26 "But 15the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, 'Enough! Speak to Me no more * of this matter.

Deuteronomy 3:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 3

In this chapter the account is carried on of the conquest of the Amorites by Israel, of Og king of Bashan, and his kingdom, De 3:1-11, and of the distribution of their country to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, De 1:12-17 and then the command to the said tribes is observed, to go out armed before their brethren, and assist them in the conquest of the land of Canaan, and then return to their possessions, De 3:18-20 and also that to Joshua not to fear, but to do to the Canaanitish kings and kingdoms what he had seen done to the two kings of the Amorites, De 3:21,22. After which Moses relates the request he made, to go over Jordan and see the good land, which was denied him, only he is bidden to look from the top of an hill to see it, De 3:23-27. And the chapter is closed with the charge he was to give Joshua, De 3:28 which was received in the valley where they abode, De 3:29.

Cross References 15

  • 1. Numbers 21:24; Deuteronomy 2:37
  • 2. Numbers 34:11; Joshua 13:27
  • 3. Joshua 12:3
  • 4. Genesis 14:3; Joshua 3:16
  • 5. Joshua 1:13
  • 6. Numbers 32:20; Joshua 4:12, 13
  • 7. Joshua 1:14
  • 8. Exodus 12:38
  • 9. Joshua 1:15
  • 10. Joshua 22:4
  • 11. Exodus 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 20:4; Nehemiah 4:20
  • 12. Deuteronomy 11:2
  • 13. Exodus 8:10; Exodus 15:11; 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalms 71:19; Psalms 86:8
  • 14. Deuteronomy 4:22
  • 15. Deuteronomy 1:37

Footnotes 10

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